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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

A NEW EPISODE came out and we all learned so much! Available NOW, wherever you get your podcasts, this week, we're delving into Androids 17 and 18 and as usual, attempting to decipher why they were created and how they turned out the way they did. finalforumpodcast.podbean.com/e/androids-1...

The Z fighters come up against their worst threat ever...TEENAGERS.

Senzu don't work on viruses
A couple notes on Android 17 solo as well as his personality and his interactions with Goku
A few notes on Android 18 as her own character including her being platinum blonde
Torishima's push to create these characters and his reaction and disappointment in their creation
The sleuthing skills of Von at Manga Barcelona in December 2025 and her discovery from Toriyama's long-time assistant Takashia Matsuyama as to the involvement of Toriyama's wife in the creation of Androids 17 and 18
Toriyama's thoughts on 17 and 18 as time went on
Possible inspiration points behind Androids 17 and 18, reminding listeners of Toriyama's use of punk and visual kei in the past
The emergence of a darker version of visual kei, known as Nagoya Kei with Silver Rose and Kuroyume
B'z, Japan's highest-selling musical artist of all-time
and more: some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I lost access to a large stockpile of memes (and a lot of other stuff) recently, as well as some personal and professional setbacks. Trying to get it all back together as I regroup, but enjoy some Friday Funny chuckles courtesy of Dragon Ball meeting The Good Place.

A meme of Yamcha from DBZ combined with a moment from NBC's The Good Place

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

For Throwback Thursday, here's a clip from S3, E16, where we discussed Kami in great detail. Make sure to subscribe to the show and check out full-length episodes! finalforumpodcast.podbean.com/e/episode-71...

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Throwback Thursday to our full-length commentary on Dragon Ball movie 3: Mystical Adventure (s3, e10) where we talked a little bit about the setting for the film, the Mifan Empire. Check out the clip, subscribe to the show, and peep the full episode: finalforumpodcast.podbean.com/e/episode-65...

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

What could be more threatening than *checks notes* an elderly man and a porcelain doll?!?!? Wait....what? Join Final Forum: A Dragon Ball Podcast as we dig into Androids 19 and 20, and the inspirations behind their characters on an ALL-NEW episode, available NOW wherever you get your podcasts!

What could be more threatening than *checks notes* an elderly man and a porcelain doll?!?!? Wait....what?

Join Jelli and Bekinney as they continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball Z by looking at episodes 126 through 130, "The Androids Appear," "A Handy Trick," "Double Trouble for Goku," "Upgrade to Super Saiyan," and "The Secret of Dr. Gero." We get into the Android Saga proper, and discuss Androids 19 and 20.

In this episode:

Vegeta's transformation to Super Saiyan and how it is the mirror of Goku's
Akira Toriyama's challenge from Kazuhiko Torishima to create different villains for this arc
Android 19
Traditional Turkish clothing and its significance in Ottoman history, including its roots as religiously important and into its post WWI meanings
Traditional Japanese dolls
Okiagiri-koboshi dolls or basically Weebles
Gosho dolls and their importance to Japanese culture
Karakuri dolls, early automata that are puppets without strings
Android 20
Gero Jeh-roh, Guh-roh...ruh-roh
Vomit
Gero's visual similarities to Albert Einstein, Christopher Lloyd as Emmet Brown in Back to the Future, Dr. Wily from the Mega Man franchise, Victor Frankentsein, and Dr. Rotwang from Metropolis
Gero's stunning and uncanny resemblance to the Greek general Theodoros Kolokotronis
and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

EVERY capitalist venture is undertaken by AWFUL people. Every product we use is "made" by slavers and abusers. It's no surprise a DBZ theme park is coming from a country that ROUTINELY violates human rights. I just wish the news wouldn't infantilize Saudi leadership like they're cute silly weebs.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

This is not a drill. On an ALL-NEW Final Forum, DBZ's best episode: Goku's Ordeal aka The Driving Episode. We talk about the history of roadways and traffic laws in Japan, and a VERY SPECIAL SURPRISE towards the end of the episode. NOW, wherever you get your podcasts! tinyurl.com/dbdriver

The greatest filler episode in anime history PLUS: A very special surprise. WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED?!?!?!

Join Jelli and Bekinney as they continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball Z by looking at episodes 124 and 125: "Z Warriors Prepare," and "Goku's Ordeal." As we take a look at perhaps the greatest filler episode in anime history.

In this episode:

The best episode of DBZ. Periodt.
Details about Japan's traffic and road history
Statistics about car ownership in Japan
The explosion of paved roadways in Japan from 1950 to 1965
The commensurate explosion in traffic accidents and fatalities over this time period
PSAs: what are they, and why were they a thing
Our super special surprise!
and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual
Join us as we continue to uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Was traveling yesterday so Sneak Peek SMonday it is...tomorrow (8/25) we'll be dropping our discussion of one of Dragon Ball's greatest episodes: Goku's Ordeal (where Goku attempts to get his driver's license) Here's a clip. Keep your eyes on your podcast feed for the full episode. It's a FUN one!

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

This unassuming little place is one of my favorite spots in San Antonio. It’s called Ray’s Drive In and they make the San Antonio signature food: puffy tacos. I’m here for Kamehacon and getting to meet s DBZ peeps, but the tacos are absolutely a bonus. #food

Historic Ray’s Drive In in San Antonio, TX

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Friday Funny Not exactly how it goes down, but Bulma DOES kinda hit on Trunks when they first meet.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Throwback Thursday. Back when we got into the Piccolo Junior Arc, we discussed the significance of Goku's appearance when he shows up for the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai. Enjoy this clip from that episode (S3, E14, "23rd Tenkaichi Budokai Begins") and make sure to subscribe to the show!

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

wtf Wednesday. For only $3,000, you could own this shocking (shocked?) Broly.

A figure of Broly from Dragon Ball Z with a stunningly bad expression, on sale for $3,000.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Goku and Bulma?!?! It Almost Happened... In this clip from Season 3, Episode 15, we touch on the proliferation of love angles in the story right around the time it hit the transition between OG Dragon Ball and DBZ. Check out the clip below, and the full episode wherever you get your podcasts!

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

What happens when the most evil man alive is revealed to just have Daddy issues? No, this episode isn't about Donald Trump; we're talking about Frieza and the revelations that he's a nepo-baby. In our BRAND-NEW episode available NOW wherever you get your podcasts! tinyurl.com/nepofrieza

Mecha Frieza from Dragon Ball Z
Join Jelli and Bekinney as they continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball Z by looking at episodes 118 through 123: "Frieza' Counterattack," "The Mysterious Youth," "Another Super Saiyan?" "Welcome Back Goku," "Mystery Revealed, and "Goku's Special Technique." As we begin the Androids Saga. We discuss nepotism's history in Japan and get into cybernetic enhancements, such as they are in 2026.

In this episode:

Jelli and Bekinney are ...back?
A very good-looking batch of episodes
Bulma's underrated look
Gohan's tutor and the meaning behind his name
King Cold and what he represents
Nepotism's history in Japan, with the imperial lineage tracing its way back 2600 years, lines of patriarchal succession in the Edo Period, and the continued heritage of "political families" in Japan even in the post-war era
Toriyama's potential social commentary, but also his potential inspiration points such as Star Wars, the Six Million Dollar Man, and the kaiju film Gorgo
Mecha-Frieza's possible design inspirations from DC's Cyborg and Marvel's Deathlok
How this trope has influenced other storytellers moving forward, including, possibly, Star Wars
A brief history of mecha and cyborgs in kaiju cinema including Gigan, Mechagodzilla, and Zone Fighter
A discussion of cybernetic appendages and their use in the modern world
A reminder that current-day cyborg technology is not as cool as it seems in fiction
and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Friday Funny for when you try to offer support, but suck at being supportive.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

You could fill a whole building with books about stuff Goku doesn't know. I think they call it a library.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Did Dragon Ball steal from Mario? In this Throwback Thursday clip from our episode "Mr. Popo's Training (S3E13)" we discuss whether the mask worn by the doppelganger in the DBZ episode Goku's Doll was based on the phantos masks of Super Mario Bros. 2 (Doki Doki Panic)

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Wait. Does this make PERFECT sense? Garlic Jr from DBZ is Sideshow Bob from The Simpsons?! In last week's episode, we discussed the Garlic Jr. Arc. Check it out now and then peep the full episode, "Pearls and Fog (S5E9)" wherever you get your podcasts! finalforumpodcast.podbean.com/e/pearls-and...

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Snapback Sunday from Season 1, Episode 7 "Oozaru, the Great Ape" where we dove into Saiyan Great Ape form, including this bit where we discussed how Toriyama was influenced by Sun Wukong, King Kong, Ultraman, and The Wolf Man. Make sure to check out the full episode wherever you get your podcasts!

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Wife graduating with her Masters degree today and of course our ten year old is bored and mentally checked out on the ceremony until the mc says “Graduates, you may now move your tassels to the left,” at which point he snaps out of his daydream and asks “…Did that guy just call them assholes?”

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Any way you slice it, Mr. Popo is a problem. The infamous Dragon Ball character has direct ties to not just racist depictions of blacks in media, but the slave systems of old. We don't shy away from discussing these things, though.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

What do you get a girl who has everything? How about the world's biggest pearl? On a BRAND-NEW episode, we discuss giant pearls, blackwater mist, and finish up the Garlic Jr Arc providing some final thoughts Available NOW wherever you get your podcasts! finalforumpodcast.podbean.com/e/pearls-and...

What do true crime stories about pearls whose tale consists of hired murder, money laundering, and Osama Bin Laden have to do with Dragon Ball? You have to listen to this one to find out.

Akira Toriyama's manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball Z episodes 112 through 117: "Call for Restoration," "Suicidal Course," "Extreme Measures," "The World Awakens," "Brief Chance for Victory," and "Krillin's Proposal." As we finish The Garlic Jr Arc.
We compare Garlic Jr to the Simpsons franchise and Sideshow Bob
Mermaid Tears aka beach glass
The Pearl of Lao Tzu aka the Pearl of Muhammed aka the Pearl of Laozi
A tale of death, murder, court trials, Ripley's Belive It or Not, and overvalued gems
The Pearl of Puerto
Mist and fog in storytelling including Irish feth fiada; Dutch Witte Wieven,; and the Norse Niflheim
Japanese yokai including enenra, azuki abba, and yuki onna
Lake Mashu, in Hokkaido
Terragen Mists of the Marvel universe and the Inhumans and mutants/ X-Men
Stephen King stories including Wizard and Glass (and The Dark Tower), The Mist, Dr. Sleep and IT
Bigfoot, Harry and the Hendersons, Sasquatch Sunset, the Asylum's Bigfoot featuring Alice Cooper
Mermaids and gillmen and The Shape of Water and The Cabin in the Woods, the Polish movie The Lure, the film Blue My Mind and of course the Tom Hanks-Daryl Hanna film Splash

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

People debating whether anime was popular in the 90s or whatever seriously underestimate how much of a stigma there STILL is around watching "cartoons" as an adult. The Academy Awards ceremonies still use animation as a punchline for jokes that reinforce the "cartoons are for kids ONLY" stigma.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Manga Monday. How I act whenever anyone asks me to do anything on a Monday.

Trunks slicing Frieza in half in a panel from the Dragon Ball manga.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Sneak Peek Sunday Keep your eyes on your podcast feeds for Tuesday 7/28. The whole episode drops then, but for now enjoy this clip from our foray into the world of True Crime as a discussion of Krillin pearl diving in Dragon Ball Z led us to the Pearl of Laozi aka the Pearl of Allah.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

This is an OLD meme, but there's always SOMEONE who's never seen something, so for that person...here. I hope you're having a better day than any of the curmudgeons who might say "This is OLD. Not even funny any more."

Barber: What do you want?
Him: I need to defeat Frieza
Barber: Say no more

A classsic DBZ meme

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

THERE ARE MORE AND THE GOHAN-VS-CELL SHOE IS INCREDIBLE. These are part of the "Converse by You" line, so they're mildly customizable; you can change the laces, canvas color, sole color, etc. EVEN MORE in the comments

Piccolo x Converse. Be the dad who stepped up with this shoe.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Throwback Thursday to this gem, where we discussed Kami's Realm and what Freud might have thought about a pubescent Goku needing to jam his "power pole" into a tight-fitting hole in order to ascend to heaven and meet God, from Season 3, Episode 11 of the show.

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Reposted by Final Forum Podcast

Blonco Craven ABDL (She/Her) @bloncocraven.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Frieza from Dragon Ball Z in a Pull-ups Goodnite #abdl #diaperart

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Dragon Ball is teaming up with Converse to sell some Chucks to people dumb enough to buy stuff just because it features a licensed character they like (Oh hi, me, nice to meet me and immediately throw a rock at me). Shenron, Goten/Trunks and Cell are the best ones here. More pics in the comments.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Kong! The 8th Wonder of the World! Wait...that's a DIFFERENT giant ape... Here's a throwback clip to us discussing some of the background and inspiration behind the Saiyan ability to become a Great Ape, from Season 1, Episode 7.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Do we stand at the precipice of gender equality? Are ab windows the male equivalent of boob windows? Listen to us in this clip from our most recent episode, where we discussed the Spice Boys from the Garlic Jr Filler Arc of Dragon Ball Z.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Maybe you don't understand just how many videos I forgot to post, because here's another one. This time, we talk about Piccolo's Children in an excerpt from Season 3, Episode 3, where we delved into these characters and the Mazoku race in Dragon Ball in detail.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

On this Manic (scatterbrained) Morose (returning to work) Monday, have a video I should have posted last week, but was too busy enjoying life and touching grass. We talk about DBZ's Spice Boys and their Buddhist counterparts.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Do these guys represent the male equivalent to boob windows? Find out TODAY on Final Forum as our new episode breaks down the Spice Boys from DBZ and their relationship with Buddhisms Four Heavenly Monarchs. Available NOW wherever you get your podcasts! finalforumpodcast.podbean.com/e/spice-boys...

Spear fishing. Male boob windows. These are Dragon Ball things, right? They are now.

Join Jelli and Bekinney as they continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball Z by looking at episodes 108 through 112: "The Heavens Tremble," "Black Fog of Terror," "Battle in Kami's Lookout," "Fight with Piccolo," and "Call for Restoration." As we delve into a filler saga with The Garlic Jr Arc. We discuss the history of spear fishing and break down the Spice Boys who are a reference to what you think they are.

In this episode:

Jelli and Bekinney are trying to get back home
We...liked these episodes
The Spice Boys. Yes, they are referencing the Spice Girls
Groups that owe their success to the Spice Girls such as No Doubt, Britney Spears, All Saints, B*Witched, Atomic Kitten, Girl Thing, Girls@Play, Girls Aloud and more
The Four Demonic Monarchs...or the Four Heavenly Kings
Equating each Spice Boy to a Heavenly King
How the manga staff picked up Toriyama's tendencies again
A note about our Bansho Fan filler episode
Notes about Maron and her design as it potentially appears prior to this in Savings Soldier Cashman, a Toriyama manga that appeared in V Jump.
Spearfishing, its history and how advances have led to regulation but also modern diving technology in general
Math!
We talk about Klein bottles, four dimensional space, and potential real-world applications for studying mathematically esoteric concepts
The ab window as the male equivalent of a boob window
We manage a reference to Evil Dead and Army of Darkness
and more, including some general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Traveling for a bit so have a Throwback Thursday reel where we discuss the power percentages trope in Dragon Ball and if Toriyama was inspired by a Jet Li film. This is from our episode "Goku vs Piccolo and the Path to Heaven through Hell (S3E8)". Check it out wherever you get your podcasts!

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Was Akira Toriyama LAZY? In this clip from our latest episode, we talk about whether Toriyama was lazy or just open about not liking work despite having a job most of us would think of as cool. For full context, check out the episode "Frieza Arc Manga Review (S5E7)" wherever you get your podcasts!

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Manga Monday. My expectation whenever I ask anyone to do anything for me:

Porunga, the dragon from Planet Namek in Dragon Ball Z, saying "OK!!" to a wish.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Why can Shenron talk? We actually go over this in this clip, courtesy of our sixth-ever episode from 2022, wherein we went into great detail on Dragon Ball's wish-granting dragon.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Saturday: Sony announces customers will lose access to digital purchases. Before the next Saturday: Sony announces they are forcing customers into solely digital purchases. Once upon a time, this level of CONTEMPT for the customer would be ruinous for a company.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Do we ALWAYS come up with BANGER sitcom ideas? Yes. Yes we do. Check out this Throwback Thursday clip from one of our Daima Discussion episodes where we pitched a sitcom starring Vegeta, Bulma, Hybis, Kuu and Duu called The Saiyan Prince and Buu Heirs

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Frieza's DEAD! And he'll never come back again...right? On an ALL-NEW Final Forum, we hit the manga to recap the Frieza Arc, and discuss intended endings, animation difficulties, Toriyama's workload and more. Available NOW wherever you get your podcasts! finalforumpodcast.podbean.com/e/frieza-arc...

It's the end of Frieza with NO chance of him retur...he returns before the arc is over? What? Anyway, how do we feel about the Frieza Arc having reached its conclusion?

We continue breaking down Akira Toriyama's worldwide manga and anime phenomenon Dragon Ball by jumping into comparing the Dragon Ball anime to the Dragon Ball manga. We finish discussing Frieza arc, and talk about pacing and intended endings.

In this episode:
Whether the end of the Frieza Saga was the intended ending of Dragon Ball
Animation difficulties, both with continuity and quality
Toriyama's workload at this time
A brief note on reading burning leaves to tell the future
Wrapping up the arc with grades
and more including general pop culture, trivia, and editorializing, as usual

Join us as we uncover the cultural meanings, publication facts, inspirations and more behind the wildly popular Dragon Ball franchise, and unspool what we all love so much about Goku, the Dragon Ball anime, Dragon Ball manga, and more

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Sneak Peek Sunday. In our upcoming episode (coming Tuesday 6/30) we delve into the Frieza Arc, and look at the manga for this saga. We also discuss animation flubs from how rushed the episodes had to be due to timing, and get into discussing Toriyama's workload at this time in his career.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

People I work with have been GOBSMACKED and confused when I tell them I buy blu rays and have an extensive collection. They don’t understand why when “everything is available on streaming.” This is why. This ought to be illegal. “Play has no limits…except for the ones we put on you.”

A notice from the PlayStation store to an anonymous user that reads:
“As of 1 September 2026 due to our content licensing arrangements, you will no longer be able to watch any of your previously purchased Studio Canal content and the content will be
removed from your video library. Click here for a full list of affected titles that will
no longer be supported.
Thank you,
PlayStation Store”

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Wednesday Wares. ....what the hell is this?

A shirt that says Dragon Dog Z in a clear reference to Dragon Ball Z, with a lot of dog-based embellishments on Goku such as turning his power pole into a bone, but I cannot begin to understand WHY this exists.

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Final Forum Podcast @finalforumpod.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

The Greatest Lie in Anime History, BUT: What if Frieza was lying? And instead of admitting it, he kept doubling down? What if Frieza from DBZ is a chronic liar like Trump? They're both racist despots... Also we mention it's moving faster than we're able to see, but that's a boring angle

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